LUUKHANYO
Image: Facebook
LUUKHANYO, a genre-blending artist who was raised in Gugulethu, is set to perform at the Cape Town International Jazz Festival (CTIJF), marking a significant milestone in his career.
"The jazz fest is an iconic brand on its own, and to find myself on this platform is nothing but a blessing," he said.
LUUKHANYO, who lives in Brooklyn, will perform at the Cape Town International Convention Centre on the Manenberg stage on Saturday, March 28, after 8pm.
His lyrics often serve as a diary of his life, tackling complex themes like the tension between ambition and identity, the pursuit of success, and the need for emotional honesty.
He said it was an honour for his voice to be heard, as he spoke on behalf of his audience who related to the issues he raised in his music.
"I speak to truth, and my music is representative of the diverse city in which we live," he said.
LUUKHANYO said Cape Town was considered a first-world city, but this often came at the expense of the "little man," whose voice was not always heard.
"My music accounts for the human experience, which is a complex thing, because as humans we have a range of emotions and experiences, which are not at all the same for every person. While there may be many things dividing us, there are also things to unite us and to inspire us."
LUUKHANYO said his performance would be an experience of hip-hop, jazz, and funk infusions, which have not been seen before and would never be repeated.
He categorises his work as authentic and representative of the community he comes from.
LUUKHANYO first entered the public imagination in 2022 with Hii ROLLER, a breakout single now standing at over 3 million streams across platforms. The song marked the beginning of a new chapter for him, leading to an Eastern European tour with his live band, The Hii ROLLERS, signaling the start of a growing interest in his work.
In 2025, he stepped into his most ambitious phase with the release of his debut album, LUCKY UU, on November 7. The project deepened his exploration of identity, ambition, and emotional complexity. Its lead single, Open Casket, arrived in June 2025, carrying themes of risk, self-reinvention, and the cost of aspiration.
Critics drew attention to the track’s emotional clarity and understated boldness, with BBC Radio 1 host Sian Eleri, noting how naturally his sound seemed to sit alongside global genre-benders, artists like Thundercat, Anderson.
As his artistry has evolved, his digital audience has grown in tandem. Throughout 2025, more listeners and viewers found their way to his work, reflected in a steady rise across platforms.
Tickets for the CTIJF, on March 27 and 28, are available on Ticketmaster, with buy now pay later options on Loot.
Since its inception in 2000, the CTICF has remained the largest jazz festival on the African continent, uniting global artistry, African innovation and world-class musical excellence in a celebration of culture, music and community.
Follow @capetowninternationaljazzfest on social media and visit the website for more.